Jesus Freak (song)
Encyclopedia
"Jesus Freak" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music
group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from the group's self-titled fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan
and Mark Heimermann. Lyrically, the song is about standing up for the belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution.
After three albums of hip-hop oriented sound, the alternative rock sound of "Jesus Freak" was considered unexpected by fans and critics alike. However, the song, and its accompanying music video, received many critical plaudits from secular and Christian sources alike and helped to define DC Talk as serious artists and innovators. The song later earned DC Talk three GMA Dove Awards.
(1992), which was based primarily on hip-hop and pop oriented song writing, the trio decided to innovate their style. Michael Tait
, one of the members of DC Talk, said, "I was totally into rock and roll at the time [...] I really wanted to make a rock record." The band decided to focus on more rock-oriented music, with touches of rap and pop interwoven into the mix. Tait later explained, "We wanted to write songs that would hopefully touch a generation
." DC Talk member Toby McKeehan
, writer of the songs lyrics, wrote the song to be a bold declaration of love for Jesus Christ, even in the midst of persecution. In order to bring the hard-hitting reality of their message to the mainstream, DC Talk combined the raw lyrics with guitar-driven grunge-rock.
McKeehan took the songs title from the derogatory 1970s term "Jesus freak
" and turned it on its head. McKeehan said that when he was looking up the word "freak" in the dictionary, he saw an entry that said "ardent enthusiast". Since then, many of the group's fans wear products with the term to various DC Talk events. The first time the band performed the song live, McKeehan only had about a verse written. He later recalled "We had not yet recorded it for our album, but we had a demo with one verse written. We thought it would be safe to try it [in South Africa]. We could not believe the immediate response it got."
of G major
, followed by guitar distortion as the vocals enter. During this transition, the song moves to the key of A-flat major. During the verses, which are sung by Michael Tait and Kevin Max
respectively, a sparse electric guitar pattern, which outlines the chord progression, is played. During each pre-chorus, McKeehan begins rapping about various people who have been retrospectively labeled as "Jesus Freaks," such as John the Baptist
. After the second chorus, a melodic breakdown is followed by a dissonant guitar solo. Following the repetition of the chorus, the feedback
-laden conclusion ends abruptly.
Musically, the song has been described as alternative rock and grunge, with many reviews noting a similarity with the sound of Nirvana
. According to the Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, "Jesus Freak" is believed to be one of the first songs to link alternative rock and rap rock
in CCM.
. Maxwell's treatment of the video, reminiscent of his work with Nine Inch Nails, features footage of Christian imagery such as doves and crosses mixed with stock footage of riots, book burnings, hate crimes, and propaganda films projected onto a screen. Interspersed between the stock footage is video of the band performing the song in a darkened room.
Although the song and video are, on the surface, about expressing one's belief in Jesus Christ, the band later commented that the song could also be a metaphor for the "preservation of standing up for what you believe in - even in the midst of persecution."
McKeehan later said that the point of the video was to "push the envelope" for the Christian rock community, and indeed, the song and video proved controversial. Although the song and video were an earnest attempt to "declare a single-hearted faithfulness in Christ in an age when such devotion strikes many as the freakiest kind of fanaticism," some of the more conservative Christian community members frowned at the video. The song however, was highly successful on Z Music.
for Jesus Freak in 1995 and received positive comments from music critics. Due to its dark, grunge sound - during an era when alternative rock was ruling the airwaves - the song was even played on some non-Christian stations. The song was even successful enough to garner praise from secular music reviews. Entertainment Weekly
editor Laura Jamison, in a review for the Jesus Freak album, said that DC Talk, "successfully, if derivatively, combines textured vocals, aggressive guitar, and solid songwriting, especially on [...] the raucous title track." In a review of "Jesus Freak", the Chicago Tribune
said "In considering the group's artistic merits, it's time to bury the over-burdened label 'Christian band' [...] DC Talk deserves to be judged by a different standard."
In addition to "Colored People
" and "Between You and Me
," "Jesus Freak" was considered instrumental in breaking DC Talk into the mainstream. "Jesus Freak" was extremely successful when it came to the GMA Dove Awards. In 1996, the song won awards for Song of the Year
and Rock Recorded Song of the Year. The music video for the song later won the award for Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1997.
. A live version of "Jesus Freak" was included on the 1997 live release Welcome to the Freak Show
(1997). A short, comedic reprise
, performed by Michael Tait, is included on the Jesus Freak album. In addition, a remix of the song, available on the "Jesus Freak" single, entitled "Jesus Freak (Freaked Out Remix Version)" features a more hip-hop sound, reminiscent of the bands third album, Free At Last. On August 3, 2010, the single was released as downloadable content for Rock Band
.
have played this song ever since Tait joined in early 2009. The band also released a new recording of the song on their 2010 album Born Again
. On the DC Talk tribute album, Freaked!
(2006), both 4th Avenue Jones
and Chasing Victory
recorded covers of this particular song. "Jesus Freak" has also been covered by Larry Norman
. TobyMac
(McKeehan) also recorded a cover version of the song on his album Alive and Transported
. John Jonethis covered the song on his album Lounge Freak.
Production
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from the group's self-titled fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
and Mark Heimermann. Lyrically, the song is about standing up for the belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution.
After three albums of hip-hop oriented sound, the alternative rock sound of "Jesus Freak" was considered unexpected by fans and critics alike. However, the song, and its accompanying music video, received many critical plaudits from secular and Christian sources alike and helped to define DC Talk as serious artists and innovators. The song later earned DC Talk three GMA Dove Awards.
Origin and lyrics
After the success of DC Talk's third album, Free at LastFree at Last (dc Talk album)
Free at Last is the third studio album from DC Talk, which was released in 1992. Music videos were filmed for "Jesus Is Just Alright", "The Hardway" and "Luv Is A Verb"...
(1992), which was based primarily on hip-hop and pop oriented song writing, the trio decided to innovate their style. Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
, one of the members of DC Talk, said, "I was totally into rock and roll at the time [...] I really wanted to make a rock record." The band decided to focus on more rock-oriented music, with touches of rap and pop interwoven into the mix. Tait later explained, "We wanted to write songs that would hopefully touch a generation
Generation Y
Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation , Generation Next, Net Generation, or Echo Boomers, describes the demographic cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates for when the Millennial generation starts and ends, and commentators have used birth dates ranging somewhere...
." DC Talk member Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
, writer of the songs lyrics, wrote the song to be a bold declaration of love for Jesus Christ, even in the midst of persecution. In order to bring the hard-hitting reality of their message to the mainstream, DC Talk combined the raw lyrics with guitar-driven grunge-rock.
McKeehan took the songs title from the derogatory 1970s term "Jesus freak
Jesus freak
Jesus freak is a term arising from the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture and is incorrectly used as a pejorative for those involved in the Jesus movement...
" and turned it on its head. McKeehan said that when he was looking up the word "freak" in the dictionary, he saw an entry that said "ardent enthusiast". Since then, many of the group's fans wear products with the term to various DC Talk events. The first time the band performed the song live, McKeehan only had about a verse written. He later recalled "We had not yet recorded it for our album, but we had a demo with one verse written. We thought it would be safe to try it [in South Africa]. We could not believe the immediate response it got."
Composition
"Jesus Freak" begins with acoustic strumming of the main riff written in the keyKey (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of G major
G major
G major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
, followed by guitar distortion as the vocals enter. During this transition, the song moves to the key of A-flat major. During the verses, which are sung by Michael Tait and Kevin Max
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
respectively, a sparse electric guitar pattern, which outlines the chord progression, is played. During each pre-chorus, McKeehan begins rapping about various people who have been retrospectively labeled as "Jesus Freaks," such as John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
. After the second chorus, a melodic breakdown is followed by a dissonant guitar solo. Following the repetition of the chorus, the feedback
Feedback
Feedback describes the situation when output from an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or occurrences of the same Feedback describes the situation when output from (or information about the result of) an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or...
-laden conclusion ends abruptly.
Musically, the song has been described as alternative rock and grunge, with many reviews noting a similarity with the sound of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
. According to the Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, "Jesus Freak" is believed to be one of the first songs to link alternative rock and rap rock
Rap rock
Rap rock is a cross-genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock is often confused with rap metal and rapcore, subgenres that include heavy metal-oriented and hardcore punk-oriented bands, respectively....
in CCM.
Music video
The music video for "Jesus Freak" was directed by Simon Maxwell, who also worked on the music video for "Hurt" by Nine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
. Maxwell's treatment of the video, reminiscent of his work with Nine Inch Nails, features footage of Christian imagery such as doves and crosses mixed with stock footage of riots, book burnings, hate crimes, and propaganda films projected onto a screen. Interspersed between the stock footage is video of the band performing the song in a darkened room.
Although the song and video are, on the surface, about expressing one's belief in Jesus Christ, the band later commented that the song could also be a metaphor for the "preservation of standing up for what you believe in - even in the midst of persecution."
McKeehan later said that the point of the video was to "push the envelope" for the Christian rock community, and indeed, the song and video proved controversial. Although the song and video were an earnest attempt to "declare a single-hearted faithfulness in Christ in an age when such devotion strikes many as the freakiest kind of fanaticism," some of the more conservative Christian community members frowned at the video. The song however, was highly successful on Z Music.
Release and acclaim
The song was released as a the lead-off singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
for Jesus Freak in 1995 and received positive comments from music critics. Due to its dark, grunge sound - during an era when alternative rock was ruling the airwaves - the song was even played on some non-Christian stations. The song was even successful enough to garner praise from secular music reviews. Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
editor Laura Jamison, in a review for the Jesus Freak album, said that DC Talk, "successfully, if derivatively, combines textured vocals, aggressive guitar, and solid songwriting, especially on [...] the raucous title track." In a review of "Jesus Freak", the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
said "In considering the group's artistic merits, it's time to bury the over-burdened label 'Christian band' [...] DC Talk deserves to be judged by a different standard."
In addition to "Colored People
Colored People (song)
"Colored People" is a song written and recorded by Christian rock band DC Talk. The song was one of several radio singles released from the their 1995 studio album, Jesus Freak.-Music and lyrics:...
" and "Between You and Me
Between You and Me
"Between You And Me" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk...
," "Jesus Freak" was considered instrumental in breaking DC Talk into the mainstream. "Jesus Freak" was extremely successful when it came to the GMA Dove Awards. In 1996, the song won awards for Song of the Year
Dove Award for Song of the Year
The following is a list of recipients of the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year:* 2011 "Sometimes I Cry" * 2010 "By Your Side" * 2009 "Give Me Your Eyes" * 2008 "East to West"...
and Rock Recorded Song of the Year. The music video for the song later won the award for Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1997.
Other releases
Various version of "Jesus Freak" have appeared on several DC Talk official releases, including the band's greatest hits album IntermissionIntermission: the Greatest Hits
Intermission: the Greatest Hits is the seventh album released by DC Talk. It is compiled of songs from some of their earlier albums, including their best known album, Jesus Freak. The songs "Chance" and "Sugar Coat It", along with a remix of "Say The Words", are songs that were recorded...
. A live version of "Jesus Freak" was included on the 1997 live release Welcome to the Freak Show
Welcome to the Freak Show
Welcome to the Freak Show is the name of a live audio and video recording by DC Talk. Chronicling the Jesus Freak Tour in the spring of 1996, they were released separately two months apart in 1997 on CD and VHS, respectively. A DVD version was later released in 2003. Each version has been...
(1997). A short, comedic reprise
Reprise
Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the...
, performed by Michael Tait, is included on the Jesus Freak album. In addition, a remix of the song, available on the "Jesus Freak" single, entitled "Jesus Freak (Freaked Out Remix Version)" features a more hip-hop sound, reminiscent of the bands third album, Free At Last. On August 3, 2010, the single was released as downloadable content for Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
.
Cover versions
The NewsboysNewsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
have played this song ever since Tait joined in early 2009. The band also released a new recording of the song on their 2010 album Born Again
Born Again (Newsboys album)
Born Again is the fourteenth studio album by the Christian band Newsboys. It was released on July 13, 2010 and is the first full-length album with lead singer Michael Tait.-Commercial performance:...
. On the DC Talk tribute album, Freaked!
Freaked!
Freaked! is a tribute album to the album Jesus Freak. It features artists from Gotee singing most of the songs on the original album. The last track from Jesus Freak is omitted, as it was a poem by Kevin Max.-Track listing:...
(2006), both 4th Avenue Jones
4th Avenue Jones
4th Avenue Jones is a Christian American hip hop band based in Los Angeles, California. Their name comes from the last name of founding members Ahmad and Tena Jones , and the street where they lived in South Central Los Angeles when they began their rehearsals.-The Interscope Years:4th Avenue Jones...
and Chasing Victory
Chasing Victory
Chasing Victory was a post-hardcore/Christian rock groupfrom Camilla, Georgia. The band was formed in 2001 by Adam Harrell,Jeremy Lowery, Jason Lowery and Michael Lamb while they were still in...
recorded covers of this particular song. "Jesus Freak" has also been covered by Larry Norman
Larry Norman
Larry David Norman was an American Christian musician, singer, songwriter, record label owner, and record producer, who worked with Christian rock music...
. TobyMac
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
(McKeehan) also recorded a cover version of the song on his album Alive and Transported
Alive and Transported
Alive and Transported is a live album by Christian hip hop artist tobyMac. It was released on May 27, 2008 and debuted at number 112 on the Billboard 200, and also placed at number 4 on Billboards Top Christian Albums chart. It is currently sold as a CD/DVD combo...
. John Jonethis covered the song on his album Lounge Freak.
Track listing
CD single- "Jesus Freak" - 4:50
- "Jesus Freak" (Freaked Out Remix Version) - 4:42
- "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" - 3:45
- "Jesus Is Just Alright" (Live) - 4:51
Album credits
Personnel- Toby McKeehanToby McKeehanToby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Michael TaitMichael TaitMichael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Kevin Max Smith – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Oran Thornton – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Dann HuffDann HuffDann Huff is an American musician, session musician, singer-songwriter and producer. For his work as a producer in the Country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001 and 2004 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Sean Turner – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- John Painter – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- David L. Huff – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Todd Collins – cowbell, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Mark Heimermann – double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, Hammond B-3Hammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
Production
- Toby McKeehan – productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Mark Heimermann – programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
, production - Todd Collins – programming
- Joe Baldridge – engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Pat Murphy – engineer assistantAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Chuck Linder – engineer assistant
Accolades
| Year | Publication | Country | Accolade | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | CCM Magazine CCM Magazine CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the... |
United States | 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music | 2 |
External links
- "Jesus Freak" Music Video
- [ Allmusic page for "Jesus Freak" single]